Best ACC win totals bets ahead of the 2021 college football season

The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) runs through Clemson and Death Valley — and this year will be no different.

The ACC has been dominant over the last decade, with Clemson and Florida State combining to win the last 10 ACC championships. The Tigers have emerged victorious in the last six ACC championship games by an average margin of over 25 points.

So, to the shock of absolutely nobody, Clemson leads the pack as they head into the 2021 college football season with a win total of 11.5. Jeff Hafley and Boston College follow behind with a projected win total of 7. Five teams have projected win totals within 1.5 games, making the middle of the division a confusing mess. Syracuse finally hit rock bottom and notched one win over Georgia Tech last season — is the end of the Dino Babers era near?

As for the Coastal division, either the Tar Heels or Hurricanes are seemingly on the path to meet the Tigers for the ACC title. Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh, and Virginia should have a competitive race for the middle-tier of the division and bowl eligibility while Georgia Tech and Duke are at the bottom. 

As always, shop around for the best number! For example, if one were to favor Wake Forest under 7 wins, the 7 at PointsBet provides “push insurance” as opposed to betting under 6.5 wins with DraftKings and potentially losing. On the other hand, if Wake Forest over win totals is the preferred action, play the 6.5 number.

Below are four win-totals bets for the ACC — two each in the Atlantic and Coastal Division — worthy of consideration.

Best bet: NC State over 6.5 wins +115 (PointsBet)

Home games: USF, Furman, Clemson, Louisiana Tech, Louisville, Syracuse, North Carolina

Away games: Mississippi State, Boston College, Miami (FL), Florida State, Wake Forest

The schedule lines up favorably, with an out-of-conference schedule of USF, Mississippi State, Furman and Louisiana Tech, and winnable ACC conference games against Louisville, Syracuse, Boston College, Florida State and Wake Forest. Their toughest games this season will come against Clemson, North Carolina and Miami (FL).

Devin Leary‘s 2020 season flashed more than a few signs of promise but was limited to just 236 snaps on the year between a bout with COVID-19 and the broken fibula that ended his year. Still, the NC State quarterback's 78.9 PFF grade ranked sixth among ACC signal-callers who dropped back to pass at least 100 times, while his 79.2 passing grade ranked fifth among that same group of players. If the redshirt sophomore stays healthy, he will provide stability at a position where his replacements a year ago — Bailey Hockman (73.9 PFF grade) and Ben Finley (47.7) — combined for 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.